David Akers follows the flight of his 38-yard field-goal attempt in the NFC Championship Game and isn't going to like what he sees: the ball clanking off the top of the left upright.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

David Akers follows the flight of his 38-yard field-goal attempt in...

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 29: Kicker David Akers #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 29, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 29: Kicker David Akers #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field during an NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 29, 2012 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

Akers, of course, prevailed in his pre-playoff competition with Billy Cundiff, whom the 49ers waived in advance of Sunday's NFC Championship Game in Atlanta. Akers missed his only field-goal attempt against the Falcons, knocking a 38-yard third-quarter try off the left upright.

The miss looked monumental at the time, considering it left the 49ers trailing 24-21. They got Akers off the hook by scoring the decisive touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

One reporter asked Harbaugh about the way he closely studied Akers during pregame warm-ups at the Georgia Dome.

"That's pretty much every game - this was no different," Harbaugh said. "I enjoy watching both kickers pregame, and he had an outstanding pregame. He missed one 60-yarder. He was hitting the ball really well."

QB chatter: One week after beating the Packers with his legs, Colin Kaepernick shredded the Falcons with his right arm. This diversity of skills did not escape the notice of Harbaugh, who referred to Kaepernick's "piercing" throws.

"Colin has acquitted himself well in every test he's been given," Harbaugh said. "... He played great in this last ballgame. Very pleased."

Harbaugh also invoked Kaepernick when asked if he ever dreamed about coaching (as opposed to playing) in the Super Bowl.

"I don't think I had that dream," Harbaugh said. "But the way Colin runs, the gracefulness of his stride, the ground he covers, it reminds me of me when I run - and then I wake up."

Disputed catch: Not surprisingly, Harbaugh offered no day-after regrets about challenging the fourth-quarter play on which Atlanta's Harry Douglasmade a 22-yard catch. The replay showed the ball hitting the ground as Douglas tried to maintain control.

"It definitely seemed like the ground was helping make the catch," Harbaugh said. "And it seemed like the ball moved. ... So I think that will encourage some interesting debate."